Vicki Thomas lives in Chesterfield with her mum. At eight years of age she had never given much thought to being part of a single-parent family, but when her mum is taken ill VickiÕs world is turned upside down. While her mother recovers Vicki is sent to stay with her uncle, who owns Hendle House, a mysteriously run down mansion in the mysteriously run down town of Hendle Green. This is where the adventure begins. What is the secret of Hendle and what is the connection between a church, a rat and a princess?